MPC Says Goodbye to Two Commissioners
Robert Meghreblian, sometimes referred to as
the “father” of the Montecito Planning Commission, is taking
retirement at the end of today’s MPC meeting. 
beginning at 9 a.m., Wednesday, December 20, 2006 on Channel 20).
After nearly four years as one of Montecito’s five land use
referees, deliberating such controversial cases as Westmont
College, the Coral Casino, Rob
Lowe’s mega-mansion, and the Music Academy
expansion, Meghreblian tendered his letter of resignation
to Supervisor Salud Carbajal earlier this month.
The First District Supervisor, who appoints all five Montecito
Planning Commission slots, said he has reluctantly accepted
Meghreblian’s withdrawal. He has not yet, however, announced a
successor. (Interested applicants can contact Carbajal’s office at
568-2186; an appointment is expected by January 9.) Supervisor
Carbajal said replacing Meghreblian would be difficult.
“Bob was an exemplary commissioner who leaves big shoes to
fill,” Carbajal said. “I am grateful for his service. Bob’s
leadership was part of the collective efforts that led to the
formation of the Montecito Planning Commission. He helped shepherd
the commission through its infancy and its early challenges and he
leaves the commission with at strong foundation to continue serving
the land use needs for the Montecito community.”
Meghreblian is seen by some as the central nervous system of the
county’s only local-area planning commission. In 2001, he conceived
the notion of an area planning commission for Montecito. He
tenaciously lobbied the concept through numerous community
gauntlets and, once he had Montecito’s support, he navigated the
idea through government narrows and bureaucratic channels at the
county.